Congressman Tom Reed Hosts a Town Hall Meeting in the City of Ithaca

Tuesday, September 3rd 2019, 6:01 PM EDT by Christina Episcopo

ITHACA, N.Y.(WENY)-- Congressman Reed started Tuesday mornings meeting off by talking about the concerns of future Social Security problems and what he plans to do to try to fix them, but there was more than one topic in the mix of discussions. Before getting into the off topic questions, Congressman Reed voiced his concerns about the future of Social Security and how the program will not be able to pay all of the promised benefits beginning in 2035. There was some people who were in attendance to speak on this topic, but many others were there to ask other questions.

"Well I came out to see Tom Reed, he's our representative and policy wise, I pretty much disagree with him and I wasn't sure what it was going to be like because Ithaca's not typically Tom Reed friendly but I thought he actually did a pretty good job," says Betsy Schlesinger.

One of the first off topics questions to start the morning off was the how Congressman feels about gun control and what his view is on how to put a stop to these mass shootings.

"We had a passionate conversation about gun control, and I get it, there's not a soul in America that hearts and thoughts doesn't go out to the situation and want to do something about this situation. But as you saw even here today, you know as I am a firm believer in the second amendment, I am committed to the fundamental right and freedom that is under the second amendment," says Congressman Tom Reed.

As some were concerned about the guns themselves, others were concerned with the fact that these shootings are being just marked up to mental instability.

"My career was in mental health, I was a school psychologist and I think there's a lot of reasons for these shootings that have been going on and it is misplaced to say it is just a mental health issue," says Schlesinger.

Congressman Reed said he appreciated all of the community members who took time out of their day to make it to this meeting and he hopes he was able to answer some of the questions they came with.

Congressman Reed's office has no other meetings or Town Halls scheduled at this time.